How pretty-

Maleena is nearing 11 months and we can finally say that she is crawling!! She is doing great and brightens all our lives with her contagious smile.

Christmas Catch up

These pictures are prior to a day filled with fighting, melt downs and several this is stupid.  Gotta love my kids, but sometimes I wonder if anyone else struggles to see the good on what is supposed to be a beautiful day.  I will say that we did have amazing moments and I guess that will have to do for now.

Traeton got his beef stick from Santa, something he really wanted.

Maleena was just happy to be involved.

This is from our family re-enactment of Christ's birth.  So cute!!

What is Dad doing?

I started looking at the recent pictures that we have taken on the camera and came across this one. I will admit that she is a cutie no matter what, but a little ninja- come on Dad. It is interesting the changes that are taking place around our home now that Dad is home and I am working full-time. It is also apparent that we haven't taken very many pictures lately. We will have to do better. These are a couple of the latest ones of Maleena. I love her sweater in the bottom ones and her Grandma Keller gave her the pretty Christmas dress.
Thanks Grandma!

I am going to miss my kids

I can't believe that tomorrow I start working full time. It has been like a nightmare come true. One of my biggest fears. Maybe I am being a bit dramatic, but it is soo hard to leave my babies. I have never liked doing it and hoped that I wouldn't have to leave them for this amount of time, but job loss and financial concerns have compelled me to need it. I am grateful that I finished school and am now able to get a job. It will be working for Health and Welfare and the job I hoped to get when all my children were in school. I am still not sure I am ready, but tomorrow is the day. It is a blessing for us and Jeff and I feel that it is the right time, given that he is going to start school in January, but I still cry at times just thinking about it. I am so thankful that my little sister Sharen is here to help me through this struggle. Even without asking, she offered to watch my kids so I wouldn't have to take them to daycare. I would gladly pay her instead of a stranger. I know she wanted to move closer to family and made the decision to leave Boise, but I have been so happy to have her close, especially now. I am praying that this change is not too hard on Maleena as I am still nursing her and she really is a mamma's girl. I am hoping for the best and trying to stay positive, reminding myself that the Lord knows what I can handle. I know the Lord had a hand in how I got the job and I am thankful for that.

Maleena shares my worries in this picture, exactly how I am feeling inside. 

What a star!

Though it took some convincing, Trae decided to play basketball this year. It has been so fun to watch him out there. The highlight came when he was able to make a basket and score some points for his team. (Even though they don't keep track at this age) He is a lot like me in that it is extremely hard to try new things. I don't want to look like an idiot and I hate that he shares that with me. I admire those that can be carefree and willing to make mistakes. Oh, I still make mistakes but I am learning to handle them better than I used to. Trae did a great job and I felt so happy for him. Thanks to the Grandparents and Uncle Jordan for showing up. Trae was unsure whether he wanted anyone to watch him, but I know each week he will feel more confident and comfortable. This one is for him-We love you Trae, you continue to amaze us at how far you have come.

Yuck! don't eat everything

Jeff and I were just talking about how nice it is that Maleena is able to eat what we eat. We were surprised tonight to find out that she also enjoys Box Elder Beetles. Yuck!! I am so glad that Jeff was home to find that one. We were all enjoying being together and Maleena was playing with some toys on the floor when Trae thought it looked like she put something in her mouth. Jeff searched around and sure enough he came out with half a bug, still distinguishable, but pretty much gone. I don't recall the boys eating bugs, but my sweet baby girl found one. Something is wrong with this picture. I guess I shouldn't be so worried about her being able to chew her food, it turns out she did pretty good on the little beetle. Sorry I know it is gross, but I just had to post. Maybe they have Fear Factor, infant style.

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It seems that my blog doesn't update on my sister's blog and show that I have posted anything. I just wanted to see if it will this time.

Happy Halloween!!

We had a great Halloween night. I was pleased that the sun was shining and it wasn't too cold. I knew it would be hard for the boys to be outside once it got dark, because it gets so darn cold. We came home with a lot of left over candy from our ward trunk or treat. Last year we ran out, this year we probably had half our supply left-maybe next year we will be just right. Miguel liked handing the candy out more than he liked going and getting it. Actually, it was the highlight of the night to get to answer the door at their Grandma's house and see who was there. I love traditional trick or treating. I just think it is more fun and the walking is good for me and my kids. Needless to say, we have a ton of candy at our house and I am the one that ends up eating most of it. This year we had two ninjas and a chick-

 

 

 

 

tribute

Happy Birthday Mom!!
Just wanted to tell my Mother how amazing she is. She has always taught by example and lived the way she wanted her children to. I admire her in so many ways. I never knew how hard she worked for us while we were growing up. She never let on that there were difficult times. I pray for her strength and more of her ability to sacrifice for others. It was nice to have her with us in Salt Lake after every one else had left when Trae had his stroke. She was there just to be there and I appreciated it so much. So, Thanks Mom- maybe I didn't tell you, but I needed you and I am so thankful that you stayed. It's your day and I hope you enjoy it. We Love You!

 

this picture is of last year at her birthday dinner, which was also for my Sister's husband Betz.

updates

First, I just want to say I have an amazing husband. I don't tell Jeff often enough how much he means to me. He is such a hard worker and genuine guy. I can't say that he has always been a hands on kind of Father. He would much rather bring home a one year old and skip the whole first year. I love the baby stage, but we agree to disagree on the issue of babyhood. However, something has been different with Maleena. I think she stole his heart from the moment he saw her. Last night I worked til 9 so that left Jeff with having to pick up the kids from my mom's and then taking care of them til I got home. He even fed Maleena her baby food for the first time. He did pretty good, despite the fact that he gave her sweet potatoes and green beans. He thought it sounded gross to mix a fruit and a vegetable. That's okay though. When I got home the kids had their pajamas on and were ready for bed. (teeth brushed, too) It was a nice surprise. So, Thanks honey-despite our struggles-you have been great and I love having you home more.

 

These cute kids are our nephews Andrew and Kyle. (Jeff's brother Jared's kids) We don't get to see them much because they live in Boise, but we love them tons. They just added a little girl to the mix-Rachel born yesterday. Congrats!!

 

 

Our little beauty-

 

Oh and My sister just found out she is having a girl-due in March Yahoo!!

In a nut shell...

My sister Sharen has a little comic on her blog, so I thought I would add one to mine. This seemed to fit us perfectly. Unfortunately I like our bed partner a whole lot more than Jeff does. I just can't sleep without my cuddle bug.

Which one are you?

Miguel is three years old and sometimes it is quite difficult to make out what he is saying. Well, usually we can understand him, but once in a while it is almost impossible. This morning was one of those times. We were in the kitchen and he was dancing around with the mop. He had gotten pretty close to Maleena with the end of it and I thought I had told him to get back away from Maleena. He started saying something to me. I thought he was saying Me dancing, or Me can or Me okay. See he likes to say me doing something instead of I am doing something. Well, he was getting frustrated that I did not know what he said and then he said, with full desperation in his voice- Me Miguel, not Trae. Apparently I had called him Trae when I asked him to move away from Maleena and he was trying to tell me he is Miguel, not Trae. Poor child-he thought his own mother did not even know his name. Sure Glad we figured that one out. My sweet Miguel-I sure love him!

Maleena 7 months

Time is flying by-can't believe it has been 7 months already. We all love that Maleena is such a happy baby. It is nice to have another girl in the family and the boys can't get enough of that smile!

updates-pics

These first two pics. are of us waiting to pick up Jeff in Salt Lake. The ride was okay, Maleena was not loving it after about an hour and a half, but we made it. The last couple are of Maleena in a jacket picked out by Dad. It was cute to see Jeff looking for cute little girl stuff. Maleena is nearing 7 months and getting cuter everyday.

 

 

 

 

Pickin corn

Thanks Grandma and Grandpa, we are sooo excited for the vegetables. The boys sure loved picking the corn and it was fun to take some pictures in the garden. Trae took the pic of me-can't believe how much he has grown. It was a fun night for all of us.